So, you’ve now invested in an elegant pair of leather shoes, but you don’t know how to properly care for them to ensure their longevity. Well, don’t worry at all! We’re here to help you clean and protect your expensive leather shoes like a pro.

Keeping your leather shoes well-maintained, spot-free, and restoring their texture is as important as maintaining your car.

Caring for your leather shoes like a gentleman would has endless benefits. You don’t only extend the lifespan of your beautiful pair of leather shoes; you also make them look new and shiny. A clean and pristine pair of leather shoes would help you walk confidently.

In this article, we'll show you how to protect and care for your leather shoes so they last longer. Also, we will highlight common leather problems and how to avoid them. Let’s get started!

Common Leather Problems – How Do They Occur?

Improper care may ruin your strong relationship with your high-end leather shoes. You can face disasters by exposing leather to the outdoors, utilizing inappropriate leather cleaning techniques, and other factors. Disaster is defined as cracked and peeled leather, which is not acceptable at all.

Things that Damage your Leather Shoes are:

Exposure to Sun

Just like human skin, leather will dry out excessively or fade when exposed to the sun for an extended amount of time.

Going Hot and Cold

If you store your leather shoes in intense heat and then wear them in humid or chilly weather, cleaning them will be more challenging. Your leather shoes will provide a great breeding ground for mold and mildew when the heat or moisture levels are too high. When you add sweaty feet to that, a bad odor will occur in your shoes.

Harsh Cleaning Products

Leather shoes require mild and soft cleaning agents. Strong detergents or bleach can seriously damage the texture of your leather shoes. Moreover, it will dry out and, sure enough, crack like crazy.

Tips to Clean Your Leather Shoes

Cleaning and protecting your expensive leather shoes, especially white leather shoes, without washing them is a bit challenging. The best way to do this trick is to utilize the right men shoe care products.

Just like you cleanse and moisturise your skin to rejuvenate its texture, your leather shoes also require cleaners and conditioners to keep them clean and new-looking. A basic cleaning routine for your leather footwear can include the following:

Cleaning

Use a brush or dry cloth to remove any dust and dirt from your leather shoes. Then use a cleaning spray or a cleaning sponge to lift off any stains and grime from the shoes.

Conditioning

In order to replenish any lost oils and retain the texture of your leather shoes, it is crucial to apply a quality leather conditioner. This step is optional and can be done once or twice a month.

Polishing

Polish your shoes with a good leather polish to restore the color and shine of your leather shoes.

Waterproofing

Last but not least, waterproofing or weatherproofing is an important step. This can protect your leather shoes from all kinds of harm, including heat, moisture, and stains.

Nothing gives you a greater sense of satisfaction than accomplishing a nice cleaning job with this final step. The step can be done once a year or as dictated by your environment or lifestyle. 

How to Increase the Longevity of your Leather Shoes

When it comes to attending boardroom sessions and confidential meetings, investing in an expensive pair of leather shoes is a well-deserved indulgence and a crucial requirement. And, if you want to make this a valuable investment, you must learn how to protect your leather shoes. Use the following tips to keep your leather shoes well-protected and long-lasting.

• A wooden shoe tree will wick away moisture, preventing odor, and will keep the shoe shape free of wrinkles and creases.
• It is highly recommended to invest in premium-quality leather shoes to prevent future damage in the long run. Whether you are spending your hard-earned money on men sneakers, high-ankles, or leather loafers, always go for genuine leather to get value for your money.
• Purchase high-quality leather care products to keep your shoes clean, shiny, stain-free, odor free, and new-looking. Proper care of your leather shoes with the right cleaners and conditioners can last for years.
• Put on galoshes to protect your leather shoes in rainy or stormy weather.
• Use a dusting bag to protect your leather shoes from color transfer, sun exposure, excess moisture, and dust.
• When it comes to how often you should wear your favorite pair of leather footwear, it is suggested that you wear your shoes every other day. This not only extends the life of the shoes, but it's best for your feet.